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Drug trafficking Windermere couple stripped of assets

A WINDERMERE couple convicted of drug trafficking have been ordered to pay £2,820 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

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During a POCA hearing at Carlisle Crown Court on Friday, Maxine Elizabeth Turner, 41, was found to have benefited from her criminality to the tune of £21,522.

Her co-defendant and partner Craig Shepherd, 27, was found to have benefited from his criminality to the tune of £21,012.

The judge imposed a confiscation order in respect of Turner for £1,665 and if she does not pay, then she will face a further 45 days in jail.

In respect of Shepherd, the judge imposed a similar confiscation order of £1,155 and again if he fails to pay, he will also face a further 45 days in jail.

The POCA hearing follows an investigation by Cumbria police officers into the supply of controlled drugs – namely cocaine and cannabis – within the Kendal area.

Turner and Shepherd, both of School Knott Drive, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court on June 21 where they were sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and three years’ imprisonment respectively.

Financial investigator Detective Constable Nick Doherty, of Cumbria police, said: “A financial investigation was carried out alongside officers involved in the original criminal investigation, with the aim of establishing the extent of Turner and Shepherd’s criminality and identifying their assets.

“Turner and Shepherd have now been stripped of their assets. If they fail to pay the order they will be sent back to jail, it’s as simple as that.

“Cumbria Constabulary has a team of financial investigators who work hard to uncover how offenders have financially benefited from crime so that it can be recovered and put back into the community.

“These court proceedings show that criminals pay for their crimes by not only going to jail but also by being stripped of their ill gotten gains.

“POCA confiscation is designed as a deterrent by acting as a significant financial penalty which can strip criminals of their homes, cars and other assets they have acquired through their criminality.”